Preface
With the rising popularity of running, the marathon trend has spread nationwide, and trail running is becoming increasingly popular. According to incomplete statistics, there were over 100 trail running events of 100 kilometers or more in China in 2017, indicating a clear shortage of trail running enthusiasts. When it comes to trail running, trail running shoes are an essential consideration. For beginner trail runners, choosing the right trail running shoes can be a genuinely perplexing issue. Trail running involves complex terrains, elevation changes, and various other factors, which means that trail running shoes need to meet higher standards. Personally, I believe the most important aspects of trail running shoes are lightweight, durability, slip resistance, cushioning, and waterproofing. Today, I bring you the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 trail running shoes. Let's see how they perform.
HOKA Brand
HOKA ONE ONE® was founded in 2009 by two running enthusiasts and is an emerging high-end running shoe brand from the United States. Since officially entering the Chinese market in 2017, HOKA ONE ONE has quickly won the favor of many runners and running enthusiasts with its outstanding ultra-light midsole technology, cushioning performance, and professionalism. Known for its zero-drop, wide last, and thick midsole, HOKA ONE ONE has also achieved remarkable results in the field of trail running shoes. HOKA ONE ONE has always adhered to continuous research and innovation, committed to providing runners with more professional running shoe equipment, and offering strong support for all runners to run farther, longer, and faster. HOKA's two classic running shoes, Clifton and Speedgoat, have added new color options. The Bondi, Arahi, Speed Instinct, and Challenger ATR series have all been upgraded. In the Spring/Summer 2018 collection, HOKA ONE ONE continues to innovate, allowing everyone to run out their new selves and experience an unprecedented 'flying' running sensation. Time To Fly!
Product Specifications
Brand: HOKA ONE ONE
Model: CHALLENGER ATR 4
Color: Black/Orange
Origin: Vietnam
Size: US 8/260mm
Technology: Enhanced cushioning and breathability
Type: Trail running shoes, all-terrain running shoes
Features: Cushioning, slip resistance, durability, breathability
Unboxing Details
The outer packaging box of HOKA ONE ONE is predominantly blue, with white English letters printed on it, making it quite eye-catching. The shoe box mainly features the HOKA ONE ONE logo, which is quite recognizable.
There are two labels on the side of the box. The left label displays detailed information about the running shoes in Chinese, while the right label provides English information and the product code. The product information on both sides allows for a clear understanding of the various details of these running shoes.
The HOKA shoe box opens from the side, which is quite innovative. However, I was used to opening boxes from the top and couldn't open it the first time. The light green inner box is quite pleasing to the eye, especially after seeing many kraft paper shoe boxes; this color gives a different feeling.
Upon opening the box, the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 is revealed. The black and orange color combination, along with HOKA's traditional thick sole, gives an overall impression of understated luxury.
Taking out the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4, we can see that it has undergone significant upgrades in appearance compared to the CHALLENGER ATR 3. The toe cap and upper have been upgraded, the tongue is lighter and thinner, the double-layer mesh is more breathable, and the toe cap is more durable and fully wrapped. The adjusted Meta-Rocker sole technology ensures the smoothness of the running shoe, and the thick sole no longer looks so abrupt in appearance.
Design and Craftsmanship
The overall appearance of the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 is more streamlined and less bulky. The reflective HOKA logo on the heel provides added safety at night. The model name CHALLENGER ATR 4 is printed on the upper.
The toe cap of the CHALLENGER ATR 4 has seen significant upgrades compared to the third generation. The TPU wrap around the toe cap is more comprehensive, providing waterproofing and protection against collisions and damage. The durable rubber outsole extends to the toe cap, effectively protecting the toes and enhancing collision resistance.
The upper has been upgraded from the large mesh design of the ATR 3 to a double-layer lightweight mesh, making it lighter and more breathable. The fine mesh can be seen from the inside, indicating better breathability. However, one drawback is that the bending area of the upper leaves creases due to the wrapping of the front upper, slightly affecting the aesthetics. The side upper wrap line enhances the stability of the upper and improves the overall wrap of the shoe.
The forefoot design is slightly upturned, allowing for a quicker transition to the forefoot when adapting to different terrains. The rubber outsole in the forefoot area has lugs that enhance slip resistance, and the forefoot extends to the toe cap, making it a seamless unit.
The heel of the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 features a pull tab, making it convenient to put on the shoes. The pull tab is designed with reflective elements, ensuring safety under night lighting.
The midsole of the HOKA gives an impression of heaviness, but this is not the case. The CHALLENGER ATR 4 uses lightweight CMEVA cushioning, enhancing the overall cushioning performance of the running shoes. The hollow stripe design on the side of the midsole, officially called flex grooves, allows the shoe to adapt to various terrains without easily deforming, also protecting the feet. The midsole thickness is 28mm (24mm at the forefoot), with a 5mm drop, which is quite good for trail running shoes.
The front and rear of the outsole feature rubber lugs, increasing the area of the rubber lugs while reducing their number, enhancing the shoe's grip. As an all-terrain running shoe, slip resistance and friction performance are crucial. The midsole is not specially treated, providing a comfortable transition and cushioning between the forefoot and heel.
The weight of the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 is a highlight, with a single shoe weighing around 240g, which is quite good for trail running shoes. Lightweight and agile are what trail running enthusiasts pursue, so lightweight running and trail shoes without compromising performance are the first choice.
The laces of the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 have been changed to a pull-tab design compared to the third generation, enhancing the shoe's wrap. This design is commonly seen in Salomon trail running shoes. The flat lace design is something I particularly like, as it doesn't easily come loose and doesn't feel tight when tied.
The overall tongue has also become lighter and thinner, improving breathability.
The HOKA logo on the insole is quite eye-catching. The HOKA insole uses a thicker ORTHOLITE insole, providing stronger cushioning in combination with the midsole. Compared to the previous generation, the insole has ventilation holes at the forefoot, showing attention to breathability details.
Experience
The two shoes weigh 490g, which is relatively light. Compared to my other trail running shoes, the HOKA performs quite well.
Wearing the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 feels comfortable. Despite the lightweight treatment of the heel and tongue, the wrap is still quite good. The pull-tab laces allow the tongue to be tied tighter, enhancing the wrap.
In terms of cushioning, through my daily road running and different terrain experiences, the lightweight thick sole design of the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 shows its advantages on grass, slopes, and cobblestone roads. This is why many trail running shoe manufacturers focus on thick soles. Trail running involves complex terrains, unlike marathons where you can always speed up. The thick sole design adapts to terrains faster and better protects the feet.
During my experience with the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4, I tested its grip and slip resistance on wet grass, slopes, and other terrains. It performed quite well on slopes. However, if the shoes are covered in mud, no shoe can help, which is a common issue in trail running. Especially when trail running on wet mountains, it's essential to clean the mud off the soles promptly to ensure the shoes' performance. The forefoot width of the CHALLENGER ATR 4 is quite suitable for Asian foot shapes, ensuring foot comfort and making running easier.
As an all-terrain running shoe, it is also quite comfortable for road running. Over a week of running training, I wore these all-terrain running shoes on cobblestone roads, asphalt roads, and park trails. The thick midsole reduces knee impact, and the 5mm drop ensures a smooth transition between the forefoot and heel. However, for daily running, it's best to wear trail running shoes less often, as the outsole lugs are not as durable as running shoes. I don't recommend wearing them for daily training. The breathability of the HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 is quite good. During daily 7-8 kilometer runs, my feet would sweat, but the double-layer mesh breathability technology significantly improved the foot feel. I plan to participate in a trail race soon and hope to experience the extraordinary feeling brought by HOKA on the track.
Conclusion
The HOKA CHALLENGER ATR 4 has seen significant improvements in overall appearance compared to the previous generation. The double-layer mesh technology makes the shoes more breathable, and the lightweight design is new. The total weight of 490g is quite satisfactory. The CMEVA midsole material has changed the shape of the outer side, and the tongue and insole technology enhance the shoe's wrap. The distribution of the outsole lugs improves slip resistance and grip, making uphill and downhill running quite enjoyable. However, the waterproof performance of the HOKA ATR 4 may be slightly weaker, so caution is needed when encountering rivers during trail running. HOKA's unique technology has earned it a high status among runners, and HOKA is frequently seen in major trail races, performing well in complex terrains. I hope to truly experience the thrill of mountain running in an upcoming trail race.